Bolshoi Ballet, Red Army Chorus to Visit Israel in Next Two Years

The Bolshoi Ballet will send its world-famous dancers to Israel next year, and the Red Army Chorus is to tour the Jewish state the following year, under an agreement reached this week in Moscow.

The plan to bring two of the Soviet Union’s most prestigious arts ensembles to Israel was reportedly approved at the highest level of the Soviet government.

It appears to be further evidence that relations between Jerusalem and Moscow are at their warmest since the Kremlin severed ties 21 years ago.

Last month, the Soviets authorized a group of Australian Jewish singers to tour the Soviet Union in November, under the auspices of the Soviet Ministry of Culture. They will be the first foreign Jews to perform in the Soviet Union in recent memory.

In addition, the Soviets and Israelis have agreed to cooperate on a binational Chamber of Commerce.

In August, an agreement was made in Leningrad between Soviet officials and the visiting president of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce in Tel Aviv, Dan Gillerman.